Chinese ships seen near Bajo de Masinloc amid fuel aid mission for Filipino fishers

October 28 ------ Chinese Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships were seen near Bajo de Masinloc during a Philippine government mission to deliver fuel assistance to Filipino fishermen, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said a Chinese research vessel operating near the shoal was also seen. “The mission was completed without any untoward incident,” Tarriela said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) led the mission under the Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) Program. The program provides fuel and ice to Filipino fishermen and purchases their fresh catch directly at sea to help lower operational costs and sustain their presence in the WPS.

The mission was carried out by BFAR vessel MV Mamalakaya, with support from PCG vessel BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and PCG Islander 251 aircraft, which conducted a maritime domain awareness flight to ensure the safety of the fishermen and the BFAR vessel. PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan directed the deployment of the Coast Guard's sea and air assets to secure the mission.

Upon the arrival of MV Mamalakaya, around 40 to 50 Filipino fishing boats operating in the traditional fishing ground approached the vessel and lined up to receive fuel assistance. Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision.

Source: gmanetwork.com